Prefabricated grandstand



w. B. GILBERT 2,854,704

REF'ABRICATED GRANDSTAND Oct. 7, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 17, 1955 INVENTOR.

LA,- w/LL/AM s. GILBERT Oct. 7, 1958 w. B. GILBERT 2,854,704

PREFABRICATED GRANDSTAND Filed Jan. 17, 1955 v 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENToR. l w/LL/AM G/LBERT United States Patent() PREFABRICATED GRANDSTAND William B. Gilbert, San Francisco, Calif.

Application January 17, 1955, Serial No. 482,269

1 Claim. (Cl. 20--1.126)

This invention relates to grandstand structures and particularly to a grandstand made entirely of `reinforced concrete elements self-sustaining in their assembled position and secured together by metal elements only to insure maximum safety and to prevent relative shifting which might take place under varying load conditions and other stresses.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a ygrandstand structure with a few basic elements capable of assembly to provide any desired seating capacity and capable of 'being cast in reinforced concrete either on the site or elsewhere for transportation to the site of erection.

A further object of the invention is to provide a grandstand element which comprises an integrally cast seat, riser and iloor section for combination with identical sections in a manner to provide an easily water-proofed roof covering the space beneath the grandstand which may be used for parking, storage or other purposes.

Further and more specific objects and advantages of the invention are made apparent in the following specification wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings for a detailed description of the invention.

I-n the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the lower portion of a grandstand constructed in accordance with the present invention,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail with parts in section of a portion of the grandstand illustrated in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of one of the columns which support the grandstand structure with relation to the ground,

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 5 is a perspective fragmentary view illustrating the construction of one end of a combination seat, riser and oor element which forms a portion of the grandstand.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the principal element of the grandstand structure of the present invention is illustrated as a combination seat, riser and floor element which comprises a seat portion 10, a riser 11 and a floor 12 all cast as an integral unit of reinforced concrete or similar material. A plurality of these elements are supported at their ends on inclined beams made up of sections 13 which are in turn supported on columns 14 (see also Fig. 3) resting on piers or foundation slabs 15. At the lower-most or ground engaging ends, the beams 13 rest upon abutment piers, one of which is shown at 16 in Fig. 1, in a manner to prevent their shifting downwardly in the direction of their length.

The ends of the beams 13 are shaped to provide overlapping joints, as illustrated at 17 in Fig. 1, each end of each beam being stepped as most clearly shown in Fig. 2 and preferably having an angularly disposed surface 18 for cooperation with a similar surface on the adjacent beam to provide a sort of interlocking effect. The beams 13 are of such a length that the connection-s between their abutting ends occur a short distance above "ice N 2 each of the supporting columns 14 so that the combined weight of the beam portion below the column and the seat portions resting upon it provide a sturdy cantilever effect suicient to support the lower end of the adjacent beam progressing upwardly of the incline. However to insure positively against any dislodgment at the ,y connected ends of the beams, a bolt 19 is passed through zontally disposed surface to rest upon the surface 22 of each of the columns. A safety bolt illustrated at 25 is also preferably passed through suitable holes in the side supports 23 and the beam 13 at each connection.

IThe design of the combined seat, riser and lloor elei ment is such that the several elements are self-sustaining and present a minimum of joints to be sealed against the penetration of water so that they may provide a protecting roof over the area covered by the grandstand thus making this area suitable for storage or other purposes. These elements, as best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5, have suitable steel reinforcing members as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2 as do all of the other elements referred to. They also have on the back of the rise-r portion 11 a tapered enlargement 26 providing a shoulder 27 extending throughout the length of the element for the reception of the forward edge of the oor portion 12 so that the back of the riser of each element supports tbe floor of the next adjacent element above it. The security of this connection may also be insured by the use of a plurality of metal clips such as indicated at 28 perforated for the reception of threaded studs 29 let into the oor and riser sections at suitably spaced intervals. Nuts 30 are threaded onto the studs to hold the angle shaped clips 28 in place. v

The length of the combination seat, riser and floor elements is such as to span the supporting beams 13 terminating at the center of the beams as illustrated in Fig. 4. To provide a secure seat for these elements on the inclined surface of the beams 13, each end of each element is formed with a downwardly projecting lug 31 of substantially rectangular shape but having an inclined wall 32 on the side which faces away from the end of the element. A recess or socket 33 complementary in shape to two of the lugs 31 is formed in the upper surface of the beams 13 at each point where the ends of the seat element will rest. Since the side walls of the recesses 33 are inclined at the same angle as the inclined sides 32 on the lugs 31, the weight of the seat elements will cause a wedging action tending to draw their abutting ends together. As added security against dislodgment of the combined elements from their intended positions, bolts 34 may be let into the beam to project upwardly between the ends of the elements through half bolt holes formed therein as indicated at 35 in Fig. 5 and large washers or plates 36 span` the adjacent ends of the elements and are held in place as by nuts 37 threaded grandstandto overcome the tendency of water to collect on the oor sections.

Access in the form of stairways at any-desired intervals may be provided by omitting portions of the combinedk seat, riser andoor elements as indicated `at 40 in,Fig.,4 where a part of the seatelement 10 and apart of the riser 11is eliminated so that the oors 12`will form an uninterrupted stairway.

Since the elements required for constructing the grandstand according to the presentinvention are few in number `and relatively small and light in weight, a grand-- stand can be erected in a-,short time and at unusually low cost, without the construction of large or ltemporary forms.

I claim: Y

In a grandstand structure of the kind having supports in the form of a plurality of, spaced inclined beams, a series of members to accommodate people each of which members comprises atrectangula'r floor portion having a forward edge and a rear edge, said edges being the longer sides of the rectangle, a riser portion extending upwardly from the rear edge of the floor portion, a seat portion extending from the top of the riser portion only in the direction of the said forward edge, and a shoulder projecting from the rear surface of the riser portion approximately midway between its upper and lower edges, said door riser and seat portions being formed as an integral unit all whereby upon assembly the rear edges of the iloor portions will rest upon said inclined beams and the forward edge of each may rest upon said shoulder on the riser portion of another unit, said riser portions being imperforate to provide a continuous smooth safety wall in front of seated persons.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,367,497 Pace Feb. 1, 1921 1,745,087 Floto Jan. 28, 1930 1,839,679 Hoppes Jan. 5, 1932 2,054,960 Adamson Sept. 22, 1936 2,158,939 Hussey May 16, 1939 2,297,101 Greenwell et al Sept. 25, 1942 2,606,345 Rhodes' Aug. 12, 1952 2,611,422 Roney Sept. 23, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 49,538 Switzerland Ian. 17, 1910 97,363 Switzerland Nov. 14, 1939 

